During Plastic Free July, salon owner Oliver Blackaby has highlighted actionable strategies for reducing environmental footprints within professional hair environments. His approach moves beyond simple recycling, focusing instead on a foundational audit of daily plastic consumption.
The Audit Process
Blackaby advocates for a thorough review of every product used in the salon. This initial assessment creates a baseline for measuring progress. Once owners understand exactly where plastic enters their space, they can identify specific products for substitution. His salon also tracks the volume of waste generated, which provides tangible data on whether purchasing changes actually yield results. Crucially, he reports that shifting to conscious purchasing has reduced the overall volume of waste his salon produces, meaning less reliance on recycling systems overall.
Supply Chain and Procurement
Sourcing products now requires scrutiny of packaging, not just professional performance. Owners should evaluate whether manufacturers use recycled materials and how items are shipped to the salon. If a supplier fails to prioritise sustainable packaging, their environmental cost often gets passed down to the salon floor. Blackaby suggests that these incremental adjustments across multiple suppliers accumulate into significant waste reduction over time without disrupting standard operational workflows.
Simple Operational Switches
Immediate, low-friction changes can lower a salon’s plastic reliance effectively. Blackaby identifies several entry points for this transition: sourcing bamboo tissues, using paper straws, and selecting cleaning products that arrive in plastic-free packaging. He also sources refillable household items from local sustainable retailers, effectively decentralising his supply chain to minimise waste.
Perspective on Sustainability
The tension for many UK business owners lies in the perceived cost and convenience of sustainable alternatives. However, the move away from single-use plastics is increasingly becoming a client expectation rather than a niche preference. Focusing on internal auditing and supplier accountability shifts sustainability from a theoretical goal to a managed business process. By treating waste management as a core operational metric—much like stock control or profit margins—salons can align their ethical goals with their commercial requirements. The path to a lower environmental impact starts with measuring the current input rather than simply reacting to the mounting output.
